Dublin’s pubs are slices of its living culture. They are the famous haunts of its literary set, politicians, rock stars and of course, Dubliners! Our capital city is home to some 1,000 pubs and no visit to Dublin would be complete without sampling a local brew in a real Dublin pub! Below are just some examples.
'Davy Byrnes, Dublin's most famous pub certainly in a literary sense, with its Joycean Associations, always charcterful, classy and fashionable. It's the original Dublin Gastropub and it's over 100 years old. From oysters to pheasant.' Lucinda O' Sullivan, Sunday Independent
Pub Food
Anybody who is familiar with Dublin pub food will be aware of Davy Byrne's food reputation, in which seafood is the speciality. If you visit the premises at lunchtime and evening time, you will witness the huge trade which is done in fresh salmon, smoked salmon and crab dishes. There is also s full range of hot meals and salads to compliment these and, as often as not, you can enjoy a lunch or an evening meal of oysters and Guinnesss.
Pub History
The Past
One hundred and twenty years ago, a young man left his native County Wicklow, and set off to make his mark on Dublin's licensed trade. His name was Davy Byrne. For sixteen years Davy Byrne progressed from keen apprentice to skilled (able) manager of the popular “Scotch House on Burgh Quay”. In 1889 he made the natural progression and purchased his first premises, that of Matthew Riley in Duke Street. The name he placed over the door remains to this day – Davy Byrnes.
The origin of these premises can be traced back to the 25th March, 1722, when Richard Span gave a lease on the farmland premises to Issac Eustaunie, a Jew whose family had migrated to Ireland during the 18th century. Duke Street, named after the first Duke of Grafton – who also lent his name to Grafton Street – was in the early 18th century little more than a country lane. A lease of 1784 describes the premises as “a brickhouse complete with tenements and farmyard” but belonging to the parish of St.Anne, within the City of Dublin.
The premises first became licensed on 3rd November, 1789 (year of the insurrection and rebellion of the United Irishmen) when Michael Deering, a vintner, acquired the leasehold farm let interest from one Charles Lumm.
In the 1880’s the trade in Duke Street declined, perhaps overshadowed by the burgeoning ‘Bailey Pub, Hotel and Restaurant’ nearby. In any case, on the 11th January, 1889, Dublin’s most famous vintner, Davy Byrne, had arrived in Duke Street by virtue of a banksale of £2,300 from the Munster and Leinster Bank.
Nine years previously, James Joyce (unrelated to the author) had been granted leasehold interest of the lodging rooms above Nos. 20 and 21 Duke Street. The residents of which were the sisters of the then proprietors of the nearby “Bailey” pub. A fact that Joyce the author may well have been aware of when famously alluding to Davy Byrnes in ‘Ulysses’. This ironic detail would not have been lost on the writer, famous for carefully researching all premises and addresses used in his writings.
In 1889 a “literary institution” had begun, an institution which, over the following 25 years, would establish itself as “Dublin’s most famous literary pub”. Those 25 years were to witness great changes in Irish life. A “National awakening” had begun with a rebirth of cultural, nationalist and athletic activity. The Anglo-Irish Literary revival too was at full strength with many of its foremost members such as Oliver St.John Gogarty and James Stephens, holding court in Davy Byrnes pub.
The literary giant with which Davy Byrnes is synonymous is of course James Joyce. A regular visitor to the premises Joyce developed a special relationship with the warm but abstemious proprietor. Joyce’s ‘Dubliners’ has mention of Davy Byrnes, but the Joycean character with which the premises are most associated is Leopold Bloom, of ‘Ulysses’:
“He entered Davy Byrnes. Moral pub. He doesn’t chat, stands a drink now and then. But in a leap year once in four. Cashed a cheque for me once.”
Inside Bloom meets his friend Nosey Flynn who engages Davy Byrne in chat and Bloom partakes of his famous “gorgonzola sandwich and a glass of Burgundy.” Nosey Flynn then asks Davy Byrne for a tip for the Ascot Gold Cup, to which the proprietor retorts:
“I’m off that Mr Flynn, Davy Byrne answered. I never put anything on a horse.”
Since ‘Ulysses’ publication in 1922 there has been a constant literary pilgrimage to Davy Byrnes. The recent revival of Bloomsday, 16th June, has seen a wide literary and international tourist audience attracted to the premises who wish to savour, like Leopold Bloom, a gorgonzola sandwich and glass of burgundy.
Davy Byrnes is of course famous for its patronage by many other Irish literary greats. Figures such as James Stephens, Liam O’Flaherty, Padraig O’Conaire and in later times Myles na gCopaleen, Patrick Kavanagh, Anthony Cronin and Brendan Behan fully appreciated its hospitality.
During the War of Independence and Civil War the premises was visited regularly by Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith. Davy Byrne’s nationalist sympathies were evident, permitting as he did the upstairs room to be used for meetings of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the outlawed Provisional Cabinet of the State, of which Collins was Minister for Finance. On one occasion, an officious barman clearing the premises at closing called: “Time, gentlemen please,” to which one customer replied, “Time be damned! The Government is sitting upstairs.”
Davy Byrne retired in 1939, and in 1942 the pub was acquired by the Doran family of Marlbourgh Street, who had been in the Dublin licensed trade for 50 years. Reflecting a changing era the Doran family brought a fresh image to Davy Byrnes, one more outgoing and cosmopolitan in style. During the war years they pioneered the first great cocktail pub in Dublin. Clientele changed too, and a more fashionable, business customer was attracted to the premises.
Forty years on some faces have changed but the type of clientele remains the same, though thankfully with a much greater presence of female drinkers. The Doran family are still here too, the premises now run by Redmond Doran.
One key area which has improved significantly is the tremendous emphasis placed on providing quality food in today’s trade. Davy Byrnes’ excellent pub-food reputation, with seafood as its speciality, is famous throughout Dublin. Visitors at lunch and evening time can savour fresh and smoked salmon, and also crab dishes. A full range of hot meals and salads compliment the menu and, often as not, visitors can enjoy a hearty meal of oysters and Guinness.
Davy Byrnes décor is original, authentic and pre-Second World War in theme. Boasting an excellent art collection, visitors can appreciate the three educational murals of Joycean Dublin by Liam Proud, the priceless murals of the 1940’s by Brendan Behan’s father-in-law, Cecil French Salkeld and the fine sculptures of Eddie Delaney and John Behan.
When the premises are not too busy, visitors inspecting the murals will notice the man who first came to this spot one hundred years ago, Davy Byrne himself. Surveying the premises from his majestic throne, one can reflect on an age that is now past but not forgotten in a premises which is now one of Dublin’s most fashionable and sought out watering holes.
The Present
The Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award is sponsored by Davy Byrnes of Duke Street, Dublin 2.
It is Ireland's biggest competition for a single short story and it aims to honour the great tradition of short story writing in Ireland and to encourage and reward excellence among current practitioners of the form.
The competition was first held in 2004 as part of the Bloomsday Centenary celebrations organised by the James Joyce Centre.
Find out more about Dublin pubs and numerous other aspects of Dublin tourism at the online Dublin Tourist Office.
Find out more about Davy Byrne's on their website.
The Brazen Head is officially Ireland's oldest pub, dating back to 1198. While it is unclear how much of the original 11th century coach house is still intact, there is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls. If you are looking for the true Irish pub experience then the Brazen Head Pub should be your first port of call. The pub has managed to retain the charm and characteristics of it's past and in particular it's patrons, who have included such literaries as James Joyce, Brendan Behan andJonathan Swift as well as revolutionaries as Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins.Today the patrons still include some famous faces, including some very famous musicians like Van Morrison, Hothouse Flowers, Mary Black and Garth Brooks. Take some time to absorb the pictures and scrolls covering the walls. There is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls.
Please click here to take a video tour of the Brazen Head. Don't leave Dublin without visiting The Brazen Head! Great food, drink, music and fun in an exceptional setting.
Mulligans of Poolbeg Street 8 Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2. Tel: + 353 (0) 1 6775582
Mulligans pub of Poolbeg Street, Dublin is two minutes walk from the main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street and has been at the core of the city’s cultural and imbibing life for nearly 300 years. Originally a shebeen (unlicensed drinking venue) it has been ‘legal’ since 1782, making it one of the oldest premises in Ireland’s metropolis. The decor has made few concessions to the intervening centuries and now mature customers are being served the house’s famous Guinness and strong whiskey by a third generation of the Cusack family, who inherited it from kinsmen.
The remaining mature customers will regale you with lore and lies of the days of half a century ago when doughty dockers from the great port rubbed shoulders with the celebrities from the world famous Theatre Royal across the street, the newspaper men from de Valera’s Irish Press Group next door and the freshmen from the local and ancient Trinity College, who in banter (now called craic) got the ‘hard times’ from the other groups at the bar.
Mulligans of Poolbeg St is one of Dublin's most famous drinking establishments. Mulligans is a traditional pub that remains at the heart of the Dublin's vibrant pub culture. A meeting point for all kinds of Irish life, the bar has hosted punters from the world of acting, literature, horseracing, journalism and Gaelic sports for over a century. Mulligans encapsulates all the best aspects of the authentic Dublin drinking experience.
The Mulligans started their long association with Dublin publore in 1782 in Thomas Street moving to Poolbeg Street in the mid-19th century. James Joyce immortalised the pub in his book of short stories The Dubliners with the characters, O'Halloran, Leonard and Farrington. Mulligans became one of Dublin's most popular drinking haunts and never considering 'modernising', retaining the bar's Victorian décor and furnishings.
Mulligans has two different entrances that lead you to a traditional style pub with a wooden bar, tables and chairs and a low ceiling that gives the bar a cool, shaded and relaxing feeling. As you follow down the right side of the bar, you will come to a large lounge filled with a younger crowding imbibing and chatting.
Their pint of Guinness is legendary in Dublin and there is very little in the way of food, which reminds you why you're there, to drink and engage in pure conversation. Experience all the different currents of Dublin life in the revered drinking haunt that is Mulligans.
Famous Dublin Pubs
Dublin’s pubs are slices of its living culture. They are the famous haunts of its literary set, politicians, rock stars and of course, Dubliners! Our capital city is home to some 1,000 pubs and no visit to Dublin would be complete without sampling a local brew in a real Dublin pub! Below are just some examples.
Davy Byrne's
21 Duke Street, Dublin 2Tel: +353 1 677 5217 | Fax: +353 1 671 7619
'Davy Byrnes, Dublin's most famous pub certainly in a literary sense, with its Joycean Associations, always charcterful, classy and fashionable. It's the original Dublin Gastropub and it's over 100 years old. From oysters to pheasant.'
Lucinda O' Sullivan, Sunday Independent
Pub Food
Anybody who is familiar with Dublin pub food will be aware of Davy Byrne's food reputation, in which seafood is the speciality. If you visit the premises at lunchtime and evening time, you will witness the huge trade which is done in fresh salmon, smoked salmon and crab dishes. There is also s full range of hot meals and salads to compliment these and, as often as not, you can enjoy a lunch or an evening meal of oysters and Guinnesss.Pub History
The PastOne hundred and twenty years ago, a young man left his native County Wicklow, and set off to make his mark on Dublin's licensed trade. His name was Davy Byrne. For sixteen years Davy Byrne progressed from keen apprentice to skilled (able) manager of the popular “Scotch House on Burgh Quay”. In 1889 he made the natural progression and purchased his first premises, that of Matthew Riley in Duke Street. The name he placed over the door remains to this day – Davy Byrnes.
The origin of these premises can be traced back to the 25th March, 1722, when Richard Span gave a lease on the farmland premises to Issac Eustaunie, a Jew whose family had migrated to Ireland during the 18th century. Duke Street, named after the first Duke of Grafton – who also lent his name to Grafton Street – was in the early 18th century little more than a country lane. A lease of 1784 describes the premises as “a brickhouse complete with tenements and farmyard” but belonging to the parish of St.Anne, within the City of Dublin.
The premises first became licensed on 3rd November, 1789 (year of the insurrection and rebellion of the United Irishmen) when Michael Deering, a vintner, acquired the leasehold farm let interest from one Charles Lumm.
In the 1880’s the trade in Duke Street declined, perhaps overshadowed by the burgeoning ‘Bailey Pub, Hotel and Restaurant’ nearby. In any case, on the 11th January, 1889, Dublin’s most famous vintner, Davy Byrne, had arrived in Duke Street by virtue of a banksale of £2,300 from the Munster and Leinster Bank.
Nine years previously, James Joyce (unrelated to the author) had been granted leasehold interest of the lodging rooms above Nos. 20 and 21 Duke Street. The residents of which were the sisters of the then proprietors of the nearby “Bailey” pub. A fact that Joyce the author may well have been aware of when famously alluding to Davy Byrnes in ‘Ulysses’. This ironic detail would not have been lost on the writer, famous for carefully researching all premises and addresses used in his writings.
In 1889 a “literary institution” had begun, an institution which, over the following 25 years, would establish itself as “Dublin’s most famous literary pub”. Those 25 years were to witness great changes in Irish life. A “National awakening” had begun with a rebirth of cultural, nationalist and athletic activity. The Anglo-Irish Literary revival too was at full strength with many of its foremost members such as Oliver St.John Gogarty and James Stephens, holding court in Davy Byrnes pub.
The literary giant with which Davy Byrnes is synonymous is of course James Joyce. A regular visitor to the premises Joyce developed a special relationship with the warm but abstemious proprietor. Joyce’s ‘Dubliners’ has mention of Davy Byrnes, but the Joycean character with which the premises are most associated is Leopold Bloom, of ‘Ulysses’:
“He entered Davy Byrnes. Moral pub. He doesn’t chat, stands a drink now and then. But in a leap year once in four. Cashed a cheque for me once.”
Inside Bloom meets his friend Nosey Flynn who engages Davy Byrne in chat and Bloom partakes of his famous “gorgonzola sandwich and a glass of Burgundy.” Nosey Flynn then asks Davy Byrne for a tip for the Ascot Gold Cup, to which the proprietor retorts:
“I’m off that Mr Flynn, Davy Byrne answered. I never put anything on a horse.”
Since ‘Ulysses’ publication in 1922 there has been a constant literary pilgrimage to Davy Byrnes. The recent revival of Bloomsday, 16th June, has seen a wide literary and international tourist audience attracted to the premises who wish to savour, like Leopold Bloom, a gorgonzola sandwich and glass of burgundy.
Davy Byrnes is of course famous for its patronage by many other Irish literary greats. Figures such as James Stephens, Liam O’Flaherty, Padraig O’Conaire and in later times Myles na gCopaleen, Patrick Kavanagh, Anthony Cronin and Brendan Behan fully appreciated its hospitality.
During the War of Independence and Civil War the premises was visited regularly by Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith. Davy Byrne’s nationalist sympathies were evident, permitting as he did the upstairs room to be used for meetings of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the outlawed Provisional Cabinet of the State, of which Collins was Minister for Finance. On one occasion, an officious barman clearing the premises at closing called: “Time, gentlemen please,” to which one customer replied, “Time be damned! The Government is sitting upstairs.”
Davy Byrne retired in 1939, and in 1942 the pub was acquired by the Doran family of Marlbourgh Street, who had been in the Dublin licensed trade for 50 years. Reflecting a changing era the Doran family brought a fresh image to Davy Byrnes, one more outgoing and cosmopolitan in style. During the war years they pioneered the first great cocktail pub in Dublin. Clientele changed too, and a more fashionable, business customer was attracted to the premises.
Forty years on some faces have changed but the type of clientele remains the same, though thankfully with a much greater presence of female drinkers. The Doran family are still here too, the premises now run by Redmond Doran.
One key area which has improved significantly is the tremendous emphasis placed on providing quality food in today’s trade. Davy Byrnes’ excellent pub-food reputation, with seafood as its speciality, is famous throughout Dublin. Visitors at lunch and evening time can savour fresh and smoked salmon, and also crab dishes. A full range of hot meals and salads compliment the menu and, often as not, visitors can enjoy a hearty meal of oysters and Guinness.
Davy Byrnes décor is original, authentic and pre-Second World War in theme. Boasting an excellent art collection, visitors can appreciate the three educational murals of Joycean Dublin by Liam Proud, the priceless murals of the 1940’s by Brendan Behan’s father-in-law, Cecil French Salkeld and the fine sculptures of Eddie Delaney and John Behan.
When the premises are not too busy, visitors inspecting the murals will notice the man who first came to this spot one hundred years ago, Davy Byrne himself. Surveying the premises from his majestic throne, one can reflect on an age that is now past but not forgotten in a premises which is now one of Dublin’s most fashionable and sought out watering holes.
The Present
The Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award is sponsored by Davy Byrnes of Duke Street, Dublin 2.
It is Ireland's biggest competition for a single short story and it aims to honour the great tradition of short story writing in Ireland and to encourage and reward excellence among current practitioners of the form.
The competition was first held in 2004 as part of the Bloomsday Centenary celebrations organised by the James Joyce Centre.
Sources: http://www.visitdublin.com/entertainment/pubs and http://www.davybyrnes.com accessed on 25/03/2011
Find out more about Dublin pubs and numerous other aspects of Dublin tourism at the online Dublin Tourist Office.
Find out more about Davy Byrne's on their website.
THE BRAZEN HEAD, IRELAND'S OLDEST PUB
20 Bridge Street Lower, Dublin 8Tel: (01) 677 9549 / (01) 679 5186
Fax: (01) 670 4042
Email: info@brazenhead.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheBrazenhead
The Brazen Head is officially Ireland's oldest pub, dating back to 1198. While it is unclear how much of the original 11th century coach house is still intact, there is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls. If you are looking for the true Irish pub experience then the Brazen Head Pub should be your first port of call.
The pub has managed to retain the charm and characteristics of it's past and in particular it's patrons, who have included such literaries as James Joyce, Brendan Behan andJonathan Swift as well as revolutionaries as Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins.Today the patrons still include some famous faces, including some very famous musicians like Van Morrison, Hothouse Flowers, Mary Black and Garth Brooks. Take some time to absorb the pictures and scrolls covering the walls. There is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls.
Please click here to take a video tour of the Brazen Head.
Don't leave Dublin without visiting The Brazen Head! Great food, drink, music and fun in an exceptional setting.
Source: The Brazen Head website. Accessed on March 28th 2011.
Mulligans of Poolbeg Street
8 Poolbeg Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 6775582
Mulligans pub of Poolbeg Street, Dublin is two minutes walk from the main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street and has been at the core of the city’s cultural and imbibing life for nearly 300 years. Originally a shebeen (unlicensed drinking venue) it has been ‘legal’ since 1782, making it one of the oldest premises in Ireland’s metropolis.
The decor has made few concessions to the intervening centuries and now mature customers are being served the house’s famous Guinness and strong whiskey by a third generation of the Cusack family, who inherited it from kinsmen.
The remaining mature customers will regale you with lore and lies of the days of half a century ago when doughty dockers from the great port rubbed shoulders with the celebrities from the world famous Theatre Royal across the street, the newspaper men from de Valera’s Irish Press Group next door and the freshmen from the local and ancient Trinity College, who in banter (now called craic) got the ‘hard times’ from the other groups at the bar.
source: www.mulligans.ie
Mulligans of Poolbeg St is one of Dublin's most famous drinking establishments.
Mulligans is a traditional pub that remains at the heart of the Dublin's vibrant pub culture. A meeting point for all kinds of Irish life, the bar has hosted punters from the world of acting, literature, horseracing, journalism and Gaelic sports for over a century. Mulligans encapsulates all the best aspects of the authentic Dublin drinking experience.
The Mulligans started their long association with Dublin publore in 1782 in Thomas Street moving to Poolbeg Street in the mid-19th century. James Joyce immortalised the pub in his book of short stories The Dubliners with the characters, O'Halloran, Leonard and Farrington. Mulligans became one of Dublin's most popular drinking haunts and never considering 'modernising', retaining the bar's Victorian décor and furnishings.
Mulligans has two different entrances that lead you to a traditional style pub with a wooden bar, tables and chairs and a low ceiling that gives the bar a cool, shaded and relaxing feeling. As you follow down the right side of the bar, you will come to a large lounge filled with a younger crowding imbibing and chatting.
Their pint of Guinness is legendary in Dublin and there is very little in the way of food, which reminds you why you're there, to drink and engage in pure conversation. Experience all the different currents of Dublin life in the revered drinking haunt that is Mulligans.
source: www.dublinks.com